We recently had the chance to connect with Tess Israelson and have shared our conversation below.
Tess, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am on a path, but I always wander, because paths change.
Sometimes there is a clear path ahead, and we believe we know where we are going. But at times we find that our path has become overgrown with weeds and we can lose our way.
The only thing that will get us back on the path again, is to keep still, be quiet and listen to our inner guidance.
Maybe sit down on the roots of an ancient tree for a few moments and absorb its wisdom.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi,
My name is Tess Israelson. I am a ceramic sculptor focusing on figurative work that encapsulates the human experience.
I’m making some bold changes in my life and have decided to travel to South Africa to do a nature based artistic exploration sabbatical!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was 14, I left the untied states for the first time to visit my family in Sweden. I was immersed in a different culture, lifestyle, foods and environment. I began to see the world differently. It seemed bigger, more expansive.
I knew from that moment on that I wanted to travel. But not only that, something inside of me changed as well. I saw hope. I felt alive and more open.
The world seemed accessible and I wanted nothing more than to see it all.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me many things. It has taught me that within the depths of pain, there is an appreciation.
It might sound strange. But I have suffered so much, that I feel grateful to have felt these emotions so deeply and with such complexity. I feel grateful to be able to experience being a human on such deep levels of every emotion. Negative and positive.
We are here to experience emotions. And the only way to do that is to provide yourself with a variety of different experiences. Ups and downs.
This life is a roller coaster, isn’t it? But only if you choose to get on. You can always choose to stay on the sidelines and be “safe” but what’s the point in that?
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
There are a few big lies we have all heard in the Art world.
One is that you need to be “discovered”
Another one is this image of the starving artist or that artists need to sacrifice their authenticity to make money and be famous.
Whatever we believe in, comes into existence. Our beliefs shape our reality.
I believe that my work is important and that people can connect with it as a catalyst for healing. I believe that I am successful because I am authentic and my work serves a higher purpose.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I live life like this already. I make choices based on what is truly in the highest alignment for my path.
Even if it’s scary and even if it’s a huge change. I’ve just made one of the most difficult decisions in my entire life.
I’ve pivoted from an established career and clientele base in California, to move to South Africa and create an entire new beginning for myself. I’m leaving friends, family and familiarity to go into the unknown.
I can feel that this is the best thing for me. And I have sacrificed a lot to take this chance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Tessartstudios.com
- Instagram: Tess_is
- Facebook: Tessartstudios
- Other: TikTok: Tessartstudioslive
